Bathinda, March 11
Jaskaran Singh, 12, one of the 50 students at the special residential training centre on Parinda road, writes skillfully on a piece of paper. It took two months for the fingers, which earlier beat up iron sheets in a factory manufacturing desert coolers, to get accustomed to holding a pencil.

He joined the special school run under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) a year ago and after March 31, would be admitted to a mainstream school along with his 50 other classmates. This may sound music to the ears of the educationists, but for the families of children like Jaskaran, it is like their worst fears coming true.

These children would be returning not only to their poverty-stricken families but also an abusive environment, which their kin do not want.

"Most of the male students were abusive at the beginning of the academic year. They have come a long way, from rattling off sentences full of abuses to responding with a 'Ji' now," observes their teacher Surinder Kaur, who lives on the school premises with her family.

With an annual budget of Rs 8 lakh, these children are given free books, uniforms, clothes, food and shelter for a period of one year. During this period, their educational skills are identified and polished and at the end of the academic year, they are admitted to mainstream schools.

However, all 27 boys and 15 girls are from SC/ BC families, with their parents working as daily wagers, who are hardly able to earn even two square meals a day. "My parents were worried to learn that I would be coming back home as we don't have enough to eat," says an innocent Harvir Singh who was home for the Holi celebrations.

Similarly, Jaswinder and Jaskaran, both brothers, from village Jeeda, would now return to their anxious parents.

After being admitted to regular schools near their homes, these children would be observed during the month of April to ensure they do not drop out. "Once a student leaves, our very purpose of starting the project gets defeated. Bringing them to this school has never been easy. We have to cajole and convince the illiterate parents and then even deal with the homesickness that these children face," says Baljit Singh, district coordinator for the special training centres.

Apart from these 50 children, students from 120 non-residential special training centres in the district would also be included in the educational mainstream by March 31.

The non-residential training centres are being run from the premises of government schools where more than six identified children study.

Bathinda, March 11
The congratulatory messages for the first-time MLA from Bathinda, Sarup Chand Singla, pouring forth from the numerous billboards and hoardings that have suddenly become ubiquitous, also threaten to deface the entire city.

The supporters and well-wishers of the businessman-turned-politician have not spared even places where pasting of such hoardings is prohibited.

The congratulatory messages cut across social barriers and include municipal councillors, liquor vend contractors, local SAD leaders, individuals, business houses and others.

"Since the congratulatory calls are not enough, I went and put up banners so that Sarup Singla actually comes to know that I am among his well-wishers," said one such well-wisher of the MLA, who had put up hoardings in the city.

Pleading anonymity, he said businessmen, government servants and prominent persons of the city are now congratulating Singla over his victory. He added that there were groups initially opposed to the MLA but now stand by him after his victory.

A round of the city revealed that the electricity poles, private and government boundary walls, rooftops, Fauji Chowk, Rose Garden, Bibi Wala chowk, Dhobi Bazaar and various other places in the city are teeming with such hoardings and banners.

"Till the time the Election Commission kept a close watch, nobody pasted political advertisements. These advertisements came up immediately after the election results were declared," said Manwinder Sekhon, a resident of Markfed Colony.

He said the posters should at least be removed from places like the Fauji Chowk.

Mayor Baljit Singh Beerbehman said he is aware of the defacement and the unauthorised banners and hoardings would be removed soon. Most of these advertisements have been put up temporarily by the SAD leaders, local businessmen and supporters of the MLA to congratulate him over his win in the elections, he said.

Bathinda, March 11
The Northern Cardiology Network Summit 2012 held at Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR) in association with Northern Cardiology Network deliberated upon interventional cardiology and management of the cardiac ailments.

Experts were of the view that Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) was the number one killer in India, which had percolated to even the rural pockets of the country.

Lack of quality primary and secondary care hospitals in the country aggravates this problem and the costly equipment used in interventional cardiology is yet another deterrent factor.

Member, Board of Governors, Medical Council of India (MCI), Padma Vibhushan Dr Purshottam Lal, inaugurated the conference. Renowned and famous cardiologists of India, Padma Shree Dr K K Sethi from Delhi Heart Lung Institute, New Delhi, too presented a paper.

In his inaugural address, assistant professor, department of medicine, AIMSR Dr Vitull K Gupta apprised the audience of the achievements of cardiologist Dr GS Wander from Hero DMC Heart Institute in bringing the most prestigious conference APICON 2014 to Punjab.

Around 960 delegates had enrolled themselves for the conference wherein the medical students were called upon to work consistently towards the betterment of mankind.

Dr P Lal gave a presentation on the past, present and future of interventional cardiology in India.

He said the apparatus used by the doctors in interventional cardiology is far from the reach of the common masses, making them less popular in India even as the disease itself was cutting across the great social divide.

Bathinda, March 11
A conference was organised by the Democratic Front against the Operation Green Hunt to sensitise people about the dangers inherent in the proposed setting up of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

The conference was attended by advocate NK Jeet, Dr Parminder Singh, head of the English department-GNDU, famous playwright Ajmer Aulakh and retired bank officials Pritpal Singh and Attarjit Singh.

The speakers said once the NCTC comes into being it would become very easy for the government to crush the voice of the common man. They said it is a threat for farmers, labourer and those fighting for the rights of the poor. The NCTC would give powers to the investigating agencies to arrest anyone for six months, which is not desirable, they said. — TNS

Bathinda, March 11
The film that bagged three national awards, Anhey Ghore Da Daan (Alms of the Blind Horse), not only brought unexpected recognition for its heroine Kul Sidhu but also experiences like never before.

At the 59th National Awards for Films, the movie swept three national awards including the prestigious Best Director award for Gurvinder Singh, Best Cinematography award for Satya Rai Nagpaul and the award for the Best Film in the regional category.

Kul Sidhu plays the role of the wife of the film's protagonist, a rickshaw-puller, essayed by renowned theatre artist Samuel.

A theatre artist, Kul Sidhu was among the wannabes who appeared for the audition of the movie held in Bathinda. "Initially, I was reluctant to go. But then, my mentors pestered me and I went. I never knew I would be selected for the prestigious role," says Kul, who is now busy shooting for Bhupinder Pali's comedy 'Ghar Gumm Hai' with Gurpreet Ghuggi and Rana.

Based on the novel of Gurdial Singh by the same name, Anhey Ghore Da Daan was shot in village Sivian and parts of the Bathinda city. Kul says she has been hunting to lay her hand on a copy of the novel, but could not get one.

"I wanted to understand my character and study it further but could not find a copy of the novel. I depended on the narration and the wonderful direction Gurvinder Bhaji gave. We wrapped up the shooting within one-and-half months," says a jubilant Kul, who now wants to head for Mumbai, the dream destination.

Just one-film old, she has her eyes set on Bollywood but says she would prefer quality cinema over commercial. "There are no yardsticks for success but I know that slow and steady wins the race," she says.

Kul Sidhu was born and brought up in Bathinda. A resident of Mati Dass Nagar, she did her schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya number 5 and graduation from Malwa College.

After completing her graduation, Kul Sidhu pursued cinema under theatre director Kewal Singh.

She hopes that the movie would replicate the kind of success that the adaptation of Gurdial Singh's earlier novel 'Marhi Da Diva' got three decades ago.

"Marhi Da Diva" was a critically acclaimed and well received movie.

Bathinda, March 11
Punjabi University, Patiala’s Golden Heart scheme, wherein rural students are taught free of cost at the Talwandi Sabo varsity campus, is now a part of the annual budget.

Not relying solely on donations, as was being done earlier, the varsity has earmarked these funds to ensure that deserving students continue to get benefit, irrespective of the presence or absence of donors.

The dean (academics), Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Sukhjinder Singh Tiwana said this while addressing students at the annual prize distribution function of Government Rajindra College held today.

Dr Tiwana said this decision was taken during the meeting of the University syndicate held on March 7.

“The university is ready to further take onus of free education of these children till they complete their engineering degrees extending support to the student for six years from class XI till engineering final year,” he said.

He added varsity has also opened seven constituent colleges in rural pockets to cater to the needs of rural students.

In order to give an impetus to female education development programme, the varsity has also decided to extend scheme of creating additional seats for single girl child in conventional courses (MA/M Sc) to the professional courses.

“All the colleges at campus and neighborhood campuses running professional courses will have additional seats for the single girl child,” he added.

Reaching out to the senior citizens, the varsity has also decided that anyone above 60 years of age, who wants to pursue post-graduate courses, will not be asked for a migration certificate. “Even if someone has done post-graduate from states other than Punjab, he or she need not give any migration certificate and can enroll in the PG courses,” he added.

Meanwhile, the special guest at the event was Dean (Linguistics, Literature, Culture) Central University of Punjab (CUP), Prof Paramjit Singh Romana.

Principal Vijay Kumar Goyal read out the annual report, while Dr RS Pasricha and Arun Bala got the annual report released from the chief guest.

The academic roll of honour was awarded to Neha from BSc third year, Jyoti Bala from BA third year, Sandhya Tiwari from BSc part II and Sarita Rani from BSc part II.

Cultural roll of honour was awarded to Sakshi Sharma from BA third year. Sports roll of honour were awarded to Gurlal from BA II, Ramanjit Kaur from BA II, Tejinder Singh from BA I, Jagjit Singh from BA I, Navpreet Singh from BA III and Harjinder Singh from BA II.

Rohit Bansal from BA III and Hardeep Singh from BA III were honoured with the NSS roll of honour.

Bathinda, March 11
Taking time off from their routine work concerning ‘deposits and payments’, the employees of the State Bank of Patiala (SBoP) cashed in on the holiday and hit the Multipurpose Stadium on Sunday to vie for the top prizes in the track and field contests.

Akanksha from Region-III of SBoP emerged as the fastest woman on track in the group of up to 35 years as she won 100 m sprint. She added another feather to her cap by winning the 200m race in the 15th Zonal Sports Meet of the bank.

Raj Kumari and Kadambri from CCPC Bathinda had to settle at second positions.

Anshu Rawat of Cantonment branch bagged the first prize in 400m run in the category while Raj Kumari stood second.

In the 100m, 200m and 400m races, women of 35-45 age group, Vandana Narula and Gurmeet from Bibi Wala branch bagged the top two awards.

In the 100m, 200m, and 400m races in the age group of above 45 for women, Anu Sachdeva grabbed the titles in all the three categories while Sunita Ahuja stood second in 100 and 200m.

In the track and field contests for men, Gurmail Singh from Fatta Maluka won the 100m race in the age group of up to 35 years while Mohinder Singh from Nohar branch remained runners-up.

In the 200m run, Sunil Kumar from Ralla branch stood first and Udham Singh from SAARAC Bathinda came second.

In the 400m race, Mohinder Singh from Nohar branch came first and Gurmail Singh from Fatta Maluka stood second.

Darshan Pal stood first in the 100m and 400m runs in the age group of 35-45 years while Mangat Ram of Muktsar had to settle at the second place in the category.

In the 200m run, Vipin Anand of zonal office stood first and Darshan Singh of GNDTP, Bathinda branch stood second.

In the race for age-group of above 45 years, Subhash Kumar from Mansa branch walked away with the titles in 100m, 200m and 400m.

Ashwani Sauja from zonal office remained runner up in the 100m and 200m while GG Dev from Region-III Bathinda bagged the second place in the 400m run.

The shot put contest for men was won by Kamal Sachdeva of The Mall branch while Sunil Bansal from Region-I bagged the second prize.

Senior bank officials, including AGM SK Bhalla, SK Garg, Rakesh Jain, Lajpat Rai Goyal and others were present during the prize distribution function. 

Bathinda, march 11
A quack has been arrested for selling medicines without having any valid licence or qualification.

The investigating officer-cum-complainant in the case, Surjit Singh said the accused had been selling habit-forming drugs to people suffering from various diseases.

The accused has been identified as Vijay Kumar, a resident of Jodhpur Pakhar village.

Nearly 240 capsules and 170 tablets have been recovered from his possession. A case under the sections 420 of the IPC and 15 of the Indian Medical Act has been registered against him at Canal Colony police station.

Bathinda, march 11
Two residents of village Kailebandar have been arrested by the police for stealing iron and electronic goods. An iron part used in electric motor, six iron rods and one axe was recovered from their possession.

Investigating officer in the case, Parshan Singh, said the accused were drug addicts and had been stealing iron and other petty things from villages and surrounding areas to purchase drugs.

They have been identified as 23-year-old Kaka Singh and 26-year-old Gurdeep Singh. Police said both were addicted to various kinds of drugs including tablets, capsules, poppy husk and whatever drugs they could lay their hands on.

The duo have been sent to one-day police remand by the court and further interrogation will be done at the police station.

Parshan said Gurdeep’s wife left him a few months ago due to his drug addiction and his involvement in the petty crimes.

He added that the duo have three more accomplices from the same village who have been identified as Bhagti, Jaswant Singh and Kulwinder Singh.